Who is Naomi Watanabe?

Naomi Watanabe is a 33-year-old Japanese singer, comedian, and actress. She has become one of the most popular entertainers in Japan, with an extensive career in television, film, and music. Watanabe has starred in a number of television shows and movies, as well as releasing several singles and albums. She has also appeared on a variety of talk shows and variety programs.

Early Career

Watanabe began her career as a singer when she was signed to Warner Music Japan in 2002. She released her debut single, “Kimi ni Aitai” in 2004. The single was a hit and reached the Top 10 on the Oricon chart. Watanabe released two more singles in 2005 before taking a break from her musical career to focus on acting.

Acting Career

In 2008, Watanabe made her acting debut in the television drama “Koi no Uzu”. She has since appeared in many other television dramas and movies, such as “Liar Game” (2008), “Amachan” (2013), and “Chihayafuru” (2016). She also starred in the movie “No Longer Human” (2019) alongside Kenichi Matsuyama.

Comedy Career

In 2011, Watanabe started her comedy career on the variety show “Utaban”. She quickly gained popularity due to her unique style of comedy and became a regular cast member of the show. She eventually became the main host of the show and went on to appear on many other comedy shows such as “Waratte Iitomo!” (2012) and “Oshiri Tantei” (2015).

Music Career

In 2017, Watanabe returned to her musical career with the release of her first album in 13 years, “Girl Talk”. The album was a success and reached number one on the Oricon chart. In 2019, she released her second album “Kiseki” which also reached number one on the Oricon chart.

Awards and Accomplishments

Watanabe has won numerous awards throughout her career including two Japan Record Awards and a Tokyo Drama Award. In 2019, she was also awarded the People's Honour Award by the Japanese government for her contribution to Japanese culture.